Spectacle bowls over regular Dubai World Cup racegoers
This is what horseracing is ought to be, says India’s leading figure in horsebreeding, Cyrus Poonawalla
Dubai: If the total prize purse of $27.5 million (Dh101 million) makes it the richest payday in the world of horseracing, the heady mix of colour, music and fashion at the Meydan adds in equal measure to make the Dubai World Cup night the spectacle it is.
As the clock struck noon on Saturday, the gates to Meydan opened and people descended in droves to take in the world’s richest horse race meeting. Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, a leading figure in horsebreeding from India, was much too excited to be at the showpiece. “This is what horseracing ought to be all over the world,” he smiled.
“This is simply so amazing for me,” Emma Pearce, a student of the Darley Flying Start told Gulf News as she took time off near the paddock to marvel at what was unfolding before her eyes.
“I had often tried to visualise what this day would be like but what I see now by far exceeds my expectations. This is a brilliant memory for me and I doubt I will ever witness such an event in my career,” she added.
During the length of her course at the Darley which helps in building careers in racing, Pearce has travelled to some of the more important race venues including the Melbourne Cup and Kentucky Derby. “But the Dubai World Cup beats them all. I have seen some of these horses races at other venues and tonight, it will be great to see how they fare against the best,” she added.
South African horse owner Ivan Synman too is a huge Dubai fan. “This is the best in the world and there is no doubt about this,” Synman said.
“I own more than 100 horses and I have been racing to different parts of the world. But I am yet to see anything like this anywhere else,” he added.
“Not even Kentucky Derby can match this night. This is absolutely amazing.”
Ray Ryan, now on holiday here, is visiting his cousin who owns an equine company dealing in horse supplements in Dubai. “And to come here and be present at the Dubai World Cup is like a dream for me. This is like a beautiful gift for us before our wedding,” said Ryan, who got engaged here earlier this week.
“This is where it all begins and I am confident I will take away a lot of beautiful memories from Dubai,” he added. “Things happen in Dubai and I hope to take back this charm back to Ireland.”
